Interim city manager to become Alhambra’s ‘evergreen’ city manager

After about six months, Alhambra City Council unanimously voted Monday to change Mary Swink's job title from interim city manager to city manager. Her appointment is expected to be finalized at the next City Council meeting on Aug. 26. (Courtesy photo from Mary Swink)

Alhambra’s City Council unanimously voted Monday to make Mary Swink its first female city manager.

Alhambra has not missed a beat since Swink, previously the director of development services, replaced 20-year veteran Julio Fuentes, said Mayor Steven Placido.

City Council always intended for the interim position to last only six months before it conducted a work evaluation. The review was positive, Placido said.

“Most everything will stay the same,” Placido said. “She’s been through our budget cycle. We have a balanced budget. She’s a wonderful city manager. We have no reason to look out further.”

Swink will go through contract negotiations at a future closed session meeting, but both she and Placido said the change will be in title only. She will continue to earn what Fuentes earned, $199,740.

With 32 years of city employment - 25 of which were in Alhambra - Swink came to the job well-equipped, Placido said. This is especially true because she was an assistant to Fuentes for about 18 years.

Swink is happy with what she has accomplished as interim city manager, she said. Going in, she wanted to work on the Alhambra Place development and increase the city’s community events.

Fuentes left on Feb. 1 to become Santa Clara’s city manager.

Swink helped organize “710 Day” to promote the building of a tunnel that would connect the 710 Freeway between Alhambra and Pasadena. Swink also brought back “Summer Serenade,” three free concerts in Alhambra Park, and expanded Independence Day celebrations to include a concert, picnic and games.

“It’s been a good six months,” Swink said. “I love the job. The department heads, city and staff have been wonderful to work with.”

Although the public hasn’t seen any material changes in the Alhambra Place development, Swink said her staff is “still plugging away” at it. So behind-the-scene progress has been made.

Councilman Gary Yamauchi said, “I can’t think of anything she’s fallen short of,” adding that he’s talked to a few department heads who all agree Swink has “covered all the bases.”

Alhambra’s city manager position is an “evergreen contract,” meaning Swink and City Council could work together as long as both parties are happy.

The City Council could evaluate Swink’s performance at least once a year.